Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Today, June 22, marks the start of the new FDA regulations on the tobacco industry. After the legislation passed in 2009 the FDA has been developing strategies to regulate the industry which had previously been allowed to operate without government over site.

Starting today cigarettes will no longer be called Light, Ultra Light or Low Tar instead you will see Gold and Silver on packaging. Retailers are no longer allowed to sell cigarettes individually they can only be sold in packs of 20 and they must card all individuals under the age of 27. Cigarettes cannot be sold in vending machines unless they are located in a adult only facility. The tobacco industry is also prohibited from sponsoring sporting or entertainment events, handing out logo'd materials or from handing out free samples of cigarettes. For more information on this important legislation and changes to the tobacco industry please visit the FDA's site: http://www.fda.gov/tobaccoproducts/default.htm.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

On June 22nd the new FDA regulation of tobacco products will go into effect across the United States. Included in these new regulations are limits on the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18, the sale of cigarette packages with less than 20 cigarettes, the distribution of free samples of cigarettes, the distribution of free samples of smokeless tobacco, and limits on tobacco brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical or other social or cultural events. One noticeable change you will see in stores is the elimination of the terms Light, Medium or Low Tar because studies have shown that all cigarettes are harmful even when described differently. Instead you will see the terms Gold, Silver and Blue on packs to differentiate between the various kinds.

To learn more about the new FDA regulations visit here: http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/ProtectingKidsfromTobacco/RegsRestrictingSale/default.htm